Apocalypse World
| Designer(s) | D. Vincent Baker |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Lumpley Games |
| Publication date | 2010 |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| System(s) | Powered by the Apocalypse |
Apocalypse World is a post-apocalyptic roleplaying game by D. Vincent Baker, published in 2010 with only an implied setting that is fleshed out by the players in the course of character creation. It was the game for which the Powered by the Apocalypse engine was developed and on release Apocalypse World won the 2010 Indie RPG Award and 2011 Golden Geek RPG of the year, in addition to other awards.[1]
Setting
The game's setting is fleshed out in character creation;[2] most of the playbooks are linked to and add elements to the setting, with one (the Hardholder) being the ruler of the local settlement and having control over what it looks like. The history between all the characters is also determined in the course of character generation. Themes of the game are survival and relationships, and they come out in the "pure lethality of the game".[3] And most notably the GM is not supposed to do any prep work before sitting down to the first session.[4]
Game Play
Apocalypse World is the class based game for which the Powered by the Apocalypse engine was created.
Requirements to play
- 3-5 players (one to play the GM, called the MC in Apocalypse World)
- Two ordinary six-sided dice each
- A different playbook for each player[5]
- Quick reference sheets for "moves" and the MC's "fronts".[5]
- However many sessions you find fun.
The System
The system uses the Powered by the Apocalypse engine. It features dice-rolling checks for challenging situations of 2d6 plus a relevant stat. Results of 10+ are successes, while 7 to 9 are a partial successes or hard choices, and results of 6 or less allow the GM to make a move. A notable feature of Apocalypse World is the inclusion in each class's playbook of a special rule for what happens when a character of that class has sex with another character.
The stats are Cool, Hard (Violent, Intimidating), Hot, Sharp, and Weird (Psychic), with each PC having Hx (History) with every other PC. The default playbooks include the Hardholder, the Gunlugger, the Battlebabe, the Driver, the Chopper (Gang Leader), the Hocus (Cult Leader), the Brainer (Psychic), the Savvyhead (Mechanic/Inventor), and the Skinner (artist or stripper).
Reception
Reception was positive with Apocalypse World winning numerous awards. There was praise for the streamlined nature of the game, as well as the MC job, although the inclusion of a sex move was controversial and was explicitly called out as not for kids by SFSignal.[3][6]
Awards
- 2010 Indie RPG Awards - Game of the Year - Winner
- 2010 Indie RPG Awards - Best Support - Winner
- 2010 Indie RPG Awards - Most Innovative Game - Winner
- 2011 Golden Geek Awards RPG of the Year Winner
- 2011 Lucca Comics & Games Best Role-Playing Game Winner[1]